Jack

I am significantly smaller than that but I don't think I want a fretless that small with how terrible my intonation is even on a full scale. At what point does it just become a violin?

I bought a Hohner Jack that had been badly converted to passive. I put the Artec in and loved it.

Can you post a photo of your setup? What do you mean when you say you cant hear the pedals? As in you can't hear a different whether they're turned on or off?

I think this is an underrated opinion. A lot of people go "ooooh I like that bass, I'll just put my strings on it, get it set up to my usual action, put the EMGs that I like in it... etc etc". Just stick with what you've got then. I'm kicking myself for changing my SB2 to VVT. No tone control is part of what makes that bass unique, even if it is a weird quirk.

Sometimes it's just easier to go with the flow. I've definitely plugged a 1/4" patch cable between my Sansamp and a Behringer DI box before. Leaving a perfectly good (probably better) xlr on the Sansamp unused. I'll pick my battles.

I had this exact thing at a scooter rally a few weeks ago. Klark Teknik on the frontline with a long cable plugged in. I just plugged it in after my board and thankfully there were no problems but I did wonder what would happen if it came to a disagreement. It can't go before my board as I'm wireless and said wireless is my tuner. It's not going between the wireless and the modeller as I use the pitch shifter. Even if I didn't I am NOT rewiring a board on stage with 5 minutes until the first song. So it's after, that's the only choice.

The TC Electronic BG series of combos are everywhere for super cheap. Any one would suit you and the tone print means you get to try out effects for free.

Oh, the sound for the tour on IEMs sucked? Oh, the sound for the loud stage volume band sucked? Goes to show that the methodology isn't the problem.

I know we've drifted a little off topic but it seems as though the soundguy in @YellowLedBetterBass's post is actually up for pretty much any other preamp? They have even offered a house Sansamp if a bassist doesn't have one of their own. Being told "any preamp you like, or I've got one here if you want" is probably more than most us get at most gigs? Can't say I understand the hatred. Although some of you are relating some other horror stories. I guess I do understand the general hatred!

What are the low profile xlr connectors?

Franz Ferdinand do what I suspect is put fabric covers over road cases. Sorry that they don't work for you, but please don't try and tell those of us who are doing it that it can't be done. It's possible to create excellent stage sound using a variety of approaches. Those 'farty' frfr cabs are the same ones that do mains pa duties on thousands of stages across the world.

I really like the powder/baby blue that the Sire MMalike basses come in. Purple would also look great.

Not sure what you mean by 'North' but my mates in alternative originals bands can't always count on pa support up here, it's a world away from swanky covers in posh wedding venues. If you know what you're getting in to then fine. If not I wonder if it's worth having a nice rig (say a darkglass head and 2*10 cab or whatever) and then picking up an old 810 or something for super cheap for the gigs where you have to loosen fillings on your own. If you're sure you can get away with stage volume then don't sleep on the modelling combos. The Fender Stage, the Boss Katana and even the Blackstar stuff can all do proper grindy, compressed rock tones for little money and even less weight.

Someone is selling a G&L SB2 in the classifieds, that would be a superb bass if you decide to go that route. I've used mine on plenty of rock music gigs. Maybe an Ashdown combo if you decide to go with the amp. You can get a pro level amp for budget prices with those and again, great rock sound.

Not beyond the realm of possibility I suppose. The blend control will be first in the circuit and have two wires coming out of it going to the pickups. The pickup might be wired per coil and the tech just connected the wires up either without thinking or without caring.

Great pedal. Mine has just replaced a Darkglass.

The main board (that I got told off for posting last time!) has finally been upgraded to a + version of the Shure wireless, really do appreciate that auxillary input. I've also got rid of the overhanging xlr cables, making everything much neater. It's now 100% balanced using the EBS flat trs cables for all 3 cable runs. My analogue board has had the overdrive switched back to a TC and I've managed to squeeze the OC2 in as well. This doesn't really see much use these days, but sometimes I like a simpler thing if I'm recording or whatever.

Or presumably import duties?

Yeah, this is what I think. The side jack isn't too egregious, plenty of Rays have side jacks so just get the controls sorted.

You think about these things too much my friend. I'd forgotten this thread existed and I was too busy mocking someone for having a tort guard on a burst.

Also happy to help if you're anywhere near Newcastle.

Take spares of anything you need to get through a gig. For me that's bass, 1/4" cable, xlr cable, tuner, di box. For you it might be a different list. Mark your stuff somehow. I put a blue cable tie around everything I own. It doesn't stop someone walking away with it, but it means I can categorically say "that's mine, give it back". Do a technical rehearsal before hand. What's a technical rehearsal? A practice gig. Rent a large space like a village hall or a social club, take all your gear and play a whole fake gig. Fake setup, facing a fake audience, fake soundcheck, play a fake set as if there was an audience. A normal rehearsal is for solving problems like "what key should we play this song in?" or "how long should we make the middle 8 break?". A technical rehearsal is for solving problems like "I have used my gear rather than the stuff in the rehearsal studio, I have just realised I don't have the right cable to plug x into y" or "if I stand here, where I thought was sensible, it turns out I can't see Z, I need to remember to stand closer". And most commonly: "we thought we had enough songs for 45 minutes, turns out they only last for 30".

Colour me interested. I always wanted a graphic neck for my various Stingrays, but then I found one with the most amazing neck ever and sort of got over it. I'd either try and get this one recreated for the Ray or I'd buy a standard sized one and build a bitsa around it. Good work though!